My children have already found dozens of brightly colored Easter eggs and I’ve got chocolate stashed and outfits planned out for celebrating this Sunday. But there is one more thing… a big, heavy, even scary thing… that we can’t ignore. The Cross.

The Stations of the Cross have played a big role in my Lenten journey this year. The Stations follow Jesus from when he is condemned all the way to his death. There are different visual, audio, and dramatic interpretations of this that evoke our senses. To picture the blood and the sweat… to hear the nails being pounded in.

My son worked on a Stations book in his kindergarten class and I wanted to share the picture on the cover:

Jesus hanging on the cross. Tears streaming down Mary’s face.

It’s very sad and scary. But this is something that we can’t ignore. Something unfair WILL happen to us or someone we love. Tears WILL stream down our hot face out of anger, frustration, or sadness. The “Cross” IS a part of all our lives… even the lives of kindergartners.

What we learn from watching Jesus and those around Him during these hard times is how to lead our lives in LOVE.

Do we reach out and help those who are different, whose faces are “bloody and disfigured”? Do we accept help like Jesus did when we think we are beyond repair?

Veronica wipes Jesus’ face. Do we control our anger? Do we hold onto hope even when all seems lost?

Jesus is nailed to the cross.Jesus is placed in the tomb.

Every suffering is an opportunity to become stronger and a chance to help others become stronger. What comes after the cross and after the tomb? Easter Sunday! A new life!

“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.”